Major city · United States
VallejoVallejo, California
Base here only if you want the ferry to San Francisco or Six Flags: 1 night, or a day trip from Napa or the East Bay.
Vallejo sits on the north shore of San Francisco Bay, about an hour by ferry from the city's Financial District and 40–70 minutes by car. It is a working Bay Area city, not a resort: the draws are the ferry crossing, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, the old Mare Island Navy yard and a downtown that is small but real. Most travellers pass through; a night works if you are pairing it with Napa or want the ferry without city hotel prices.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jan–Feb (Six Flags often closed), Jul–Aug heat inland
- Airports
- SFO · OAK · SMF
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Vallejo911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Vallejo, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVallejo has a real violent-crime reputation in patches west of I-80, including around Sonoma Blvd between Nebraska and Georgia Streets.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSFO San Francisco International (About 50–70 min by car; Airporter shuttle serves some Vallejo hotels, about $29).
- Getting aroundVallejo is car country: I-80, I-780, SR 29 and SR 37 all meet here, and most sights are 5–15 min apart by car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Sit-down mealSit-down dinner, one mainTipping 18–22% is expected.$18–35
- BeerDraught beer at a taproom$7–10
- Metro or bus rideSolTrans local bus ride$2.00 adult, $1.00 reduced, youth 18 and under free
- Budget bedHostel or motel bed, a night, per personUS$45
- Mid-range bedChain-hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$180
- High-end bedChain-hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$320
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$80 · Mid US$150 · High US$260
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SFO San Francisco International (About 50–70 min by car; Airporter shuttle serves some Vallejo hotels, about $29) · OAK Oakland International (About 45–60 min by car; Airporter shuttle also runs here) · SMF Sacramento International (About 1 h 15 min by car via I-80 east)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Feb
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Mar
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Apr
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Nov
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Dec
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)), coolest Jan (5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C) low), wettest Jan (11 rain days), driest Jul (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Vallejo: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
11 rd
Feb
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
10 rd
Mar
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
Apr
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
5 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
0 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
0 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1 rd
Oct
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3 rd
Nov
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
8 rd
Dec
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Vallejo is car country: I-80, I-780, SR 29 and SR 37 all meet here, and most sights are 5–15 min apart by car. SolTrans buses cover the centre and Benicia (adult $2.00 in town, reduced $1.00, youth 18 and under free). Mare Island and Hiddenbrooke have no bus service. The San Francisco Bay Ferry runs roughly hourly to the city, just over an hour each way.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h 15 min
San Francisco Bay Ferry from the Vallejo Ferry Terminal, 289 Mare Island Way, roughly hourly
The reason to stay here: no bridge traffic, and you land in the Financial District.
Napa Valley
goDoor to door: 10–50 min by car
Drive SR 29 north, or VINE Transit Route 11/11X from Vallejo
VINE Route 11 is $1.60 general, 11X express $3.00; transfers from SolTrans are free if you ask the driver.
Benicia
goDoor to door: About 15–20 min
Drive I-780 west, or SolTrans Yellow route
Small waterfront first capital of California; pair it with a Vallejo afternoon.
Sacramento
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Drive I-80 east
Fine without traffic; a long half-day otherwise.
Fairfield
goDoor to door: About 20–25 min
Drive I-80 east, or SolTrans Red route
Jelly Belly factory tours and the outlet mall.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown / waterfront (Georgia St and Mare Island Way)
Walk to the ferry terminal, farmers market and Empress Theatre; the most useful base without a car.
Fairgrounds / Six Flags area (Fairgrounds Dr)
Chain hotels next to the theme park and fairgrounds; needs a car or SolTrans Route 85.
American Canyon (just north, Napa County)
Highway 29 strip hotels, 10–15 min from downtown Vallejo and closer to Napa wineries.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $80–130 excl. bed
- Mid
- $130–220 excl. bed
- High
- $220+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Chain-hotel double room1 × 1 night × US$180 | US$180 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$150 | US$300 |
| San Francisco Bay Ferry, Vallejo to San Francisco, both ways2 × US$20 | US$40 |
| SolTrans day of local buses2 × US$4 | US$8 |
| Six Flags Discovery Kingdom one-day ticket2 × US$60 · varies by date | US$120 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$68 |
| Trip total≈ US$373 per person per day, bed included | US$746 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax is added at checkout and is not included. Flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Burger and fries at a local spot | $12–18 |
| Sit-down dinner, one mainTipping 18–22% is expected. | $18–35 |
| Draught beer at a taproom | $7–10 |
| SolTrans local bus ride | $2.00 adult, $1.00 reduced, youth 18 and under free |
| San Francisco Bay Ferry, one way | about $10 |
| Six Flags Discovery Kingdom one-day ticket | $45–90 depending on date |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Parts of the city west of I-80 have a reputation for violent crime; the tourist core, Mare Island and the shopping areas east of I-80 are generally fine but not crime-free.
- Sonoma Blvd (SR 29) between Nebraska and Georgia Streets is a known trafficking area — do not linger, especially at night.
- Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is usually closed in January and February; check the calendar before booking.
- Mare Island and Hiddenbrooke are cut off from the bus network: without a car you are stuck.
- Bay Area traffic on I-80 can double the drive to San Francisco: add 30 min at peak times.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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VallejoVallejo, California
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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Give the driver the street number and cross street — most roads are named after US states (east–west) and California counties (north–south).To this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Vallejo; consulates-general are in San Francisco (most countries) and Sacramento (some).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Ferry Vallejo → San Francisco: about $10 one way, just over 1 h, roughly hourly
- SolTrans local bus: $2.00 adult, $1.00 reduced, youth 18 and under free
- Airporter shuttle SFO/OAK → Vallejo hotels: about $29
Say or show
- 289 Mare Island Way, near Georgia St — Where is the ferry terminal?
- San Francisco Bay Ferry, Vallejo Ferry Terminal — One ticket to San Francisco, please
- check the park calendar before you drive out — Is Six Flags open today?
Sales tax is added at checkout, so posted prices are not what you pay.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Vallejo. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jan–Feb (Six Flags often closed), Jul–Aug heat inland · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Ferry-to-bed contract: last San Francisco Bay Ferry departures field-checked, plus a taxi fallback from the terminal.
- Three walking clusters with anchors: downtown Georgia Street, the waterfront and ferry terminal, Mare Island.
- Place pages with verified hours (Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum, Empress Theatre, McCune Room) and eat pages with last orders.
- Six Flags seasonal-closure fixture so the theme-park day can go green or red.
Sources
- officialCity of Vallejo
- officialSan Francisco Bay Ferry
- officialSolTrans
- officialVINE Transit
- officialSix Flags Discovery Kingdom
- officialVallejo Naval & Historical Museum
- officialEmpress Theatre
- secondaryWikivoyage: Vallejo, revision 5235714 (CC BY-SA 4.0)